Volunteering to travel on another flight
Sometimes, situations like last-minute maintenance issues, weather events, or unexpected circumstances can prevent passengers from travelling on their originally planned flight. Because of this, we may be in a position where there are more passengers than available seats.
In these situations, we may send an email asking for volunteers if they can adjust their travel plans. Volunteers can even earn a travel voucher or Air Canada discount code as our way of saying thanks!
My travel plans are flexible
You may receive an email from us well ahead of your flight offering the opportunity to change to an earlier or later flight. If your travel plans are flexible, you can make the change and confirm your new itinerary. In exchange, you’ll receive an Air Canada discount code. *
I'd rather wait until closer to my flight
Sometimes we send out a second email closer to departure asking for volunteers who are willing to change their flight at the departure gate if the need arises.
If you're chosen as a volunteer at the gate, you’ll receive an Air Canada voucher* . More details on the voucher are included in your offer email.
I don’t want to volunteer for a flight change
If you don’t want to volunteer, you don’t have to – you can simply not respond to the email and you’ll remain scheduled on your original flight.
* The offer to volunteer is subject to availability and can be rescinded at any time. Note that volunteers are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Frequently asked questions
Why did I receive an email asking if I would like to switch my flight?
Flights can be affected for a number of reasons, some we can anticipate days in advance, or it may occur on the day of departure. This can happen because of:
- A maintenance issue
- A larger aircraft being substituted with a smaller one
- Weather events
- An unforeseen situation such as a scheduled aircraft being unexpectedly delayed at another airport
- An operational requirement
Any of these reasons may result in an unintended situation with more passengers than seats available. In this case, we may offer you the opportunity to travel on a different flight. Find out more about flight disruptions.
What happens if there aren’t enough volunteers on the day of my flight?
If there are more passengers than available seats on your original flight, our agents will ask for additional volunteers to switch their flight at the gate.
If there are still not enough volunteers to move their flight time, and no other solution is available, passengers who are unable to board on their original flight will receive monetary compensation in line with regulatory requirements for these situations. They will also be rebooked on an alternate flight.
What if I’m travelling with others?
If you change your flight, everyone on your booking will be moved to the new flight you’ve accepted.
If you’re travelling with a companion who has a different booking, they may receive their own email offer and will need to accept the same flight as you so that you can still travel together.
Can I book with another airline?
The offers shown in the email we send you are strictly for Air Canada flights.
None of the new flight options offered in the email will work for me. What do I do?
The flights presented in your email are the only flights that we can offer for your itinerary. If the options don’tt suit your needs, simply disregard the email and you will remain scheduled on your current flight.
Note that our contact center agents won’t be able to give you different flight options. They also don’t have the ability to accept the flights offered to you in the email as you must book through the link provided.
If I change my flight, will my seat and cabin choice change?
The new flights available to you will be for the same class/cabin that you originally purchased.
We can’t guarantee the same seat, but we will make every effort to assign you a comparable one.
If you’d like to change your seat, you can do so by managing your booking online.
Am I still allowed to bid for an upgrade on my alternative flight?
Yes. Once you have accepted the offer and received your revised itinerary, you will be able to bid for an upgrade provided your new flight qualifies.
Will my pre-ordered meal be available on my new flight?
Yes. You will be able to enjoy your pre-ordered meal on the new flight you have selected. If you’ve purchased a Bistro voucher, it will be applied to your new flight.
Can I change my mind after selecting the alternative flight?
Once you have confirmed your selection, any changes will be subject to the fare rules of your original ticket.
If I’m selected as a volunteer at the gate, when will I receive my voucher?
Once we’ve confirmed that you have been rebooked on a new flight, we’ll issue you a voucher.
If you travel on your original flight, you won’t receive a voucher as vouchers are only issued to volunteers who have been moved to a different flight.